Fr Charlie Bell

Bio:

Charlie Bell is a non-stipendiary priest in the Diocese of Southwark and a forensic psychiatrist. He trained for the ministry at St Mellitus and St Augustine’s College, serving his curacy at St John the Divine in Kennington. Charlie is a Research Fellow and Associate Tutor at St Augustine’s College, Scholar in Residence at the Cathedral of St John the Divine in New York City, and holds permission to officiate in Ely Diocese.

Charlie read medicine at Queens’ College, Cambridge, undertaking a PhD in medical genetics. Since 2018 he has been the John Marks Fellow, College Assistant Professor, Praelector and Director of Studies in Medicine at Girton College, Cambridge, and undertakes his clinical work with Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust in south London. His medical research interests relate to patients with antisocial personality disorder and psychopathy, trying to elucidate possible biological mechanisms that might lead to stratification and treatment in the future.

Charlie’s theological research focuses on matters of sacramental practice, ecclesiology and ecumenism, contemporary debates on sexuality and gender, and the interface of science, medicine and theology.

Charlie has published several books and articles, regularly reviews for Theology journal, and has taught for both theological colleges and IME groups on the medico-theological interface and liturgy.

Recent publications:

Unity: Anglicanism’s ‘impossible dream’? (SCM Press, 2024)
Queer Holiness: The gift of LGBTQI people to the church (London: DLT, 2022)
Light to those in darkness: ‘total pain’ and the body of Christ (London: SCM, 2023)
Queer Redemption: Why queerness changes everything we thought we knew about Christianity (London: DLT, 2024)

Photo of Charlie by Frances Marshall